Gunner brought up the point about the two kinds of S.L. operators. I have to correct him with regards to the second kind, the one that leaves bills and paychecks un-paid and a broken plant behind. That is exactly what John Darling and company left behind and I am not so sure that Brian did not have some of the same traits. Of course the session under Gerry Greg didn't help anything either, the only difference was he was instructed by the courts to get as much money out of it as he could. So intentional raping of the NWP in at least one instance and circumctances not allowing for anything else in other cases along with all the detrimental outside influences; like the lumber traffic drying up thanks to some overzelous ecology nuts. Before I get flamed too badly, I said SOME OVERZELOUS ecology nuts. There is a very big need for the proper management of the resources in the area and it COULD be done if all parties tried to come toward a common ground. I stray off point. The need,yes need of the NWP or at least parts of it will become very evident as 101 and the other roads get more and more crowed and the cost of fuel gets higher and higher.
Another point to consider, UP is catching a lot of flack in AZ as it tries to get the clearances to build track to a port in Mexico and double track(Maybe triple, a la BNSF)to handle the LA/LB,SFO/OAK traffic it now has. Looking to a facility in Eureka just might become a workable solution. Getting thru customs out of Mexico will become a nightmare. There are other options to deal with Iron Mt. than rebuild the track on existing ROW. Besides a good big construction project is needed up there. it is no fun these days to try and get from the coast over to Interstate 5 and it will only get worse. We just might see a NWP in some form rise from the ashes yet. Andy